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J D Minna

Publications and source records attributed to J D Minna.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Promoter methylation and silencing of the retinoic acid receptor-beta gene in lung carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Retinoic acid plays an important role in lung development and differentiation, acting primarily via nuclear receptors encoded by the retinoic acid receptor-beta (RARbeta) gene. Because receptor isoforms RARbeta2 and RARbeta4 are repressed in human lung cancers, we investigated whether methylation of their promoter, P2, might lead to silencing of the RARbeta gene in human lung tumors and cell lines. METHODS: Methylation of the P2 promoter from small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines and tumor samples was analyzed by the methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Expression of RARbeta2 and RARbeta4 was analyzed by reverse transcription-PCR. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was analyzed by PCR amplification followed by electrophoretic separation of PCR products. Statistical differences were analyzed by Fisher's exact test with continuity correction. RESULTS: The P2 promoter was methylated in 72% (63 of 87) of SCLC and in 41% (52 of 127) of NSCLC tumors and cell lines, and the difference was statistically significant (two-sided P:<.001). By contrast, in 57 of 58 control samples, we observed only the unmethylated form of the gene. Four tumor cell lines with unmethylated promoter regions expressed both RARbeta2 and RARbeta4. Four tumor lines with methylated promoter regions lacked expression of these isoforms, but demethylation by exposure to 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine restored their expression. LOH at chromosome 3p24 was observed in 100% (13 of 13) of SCLC lines and 67% (12 of 18) of NSCLC cell lines, and the difference was statistically significant (two-sided P: =.028). CONCLUSIONS: Methylation of the RARbeta P2 promoter is one mechanism that silences RARbeta2 and RARbeta4 expression in many lung cancers, particularly SCLC. Chemical demethylation is a potential approach to lung cancer therapy.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗
PubMed2000

Repeat polymorphisms within gene regions: phenotypic and evolutionary implications.

We have developed an algorithm that predicted 11,265 potentially polymorphic tandem repeats within transcribed sequences. We estimate that 22% (2,207/9,717) of the annotated clusters within UniGene contain at least one potentially polymorphic locus. Our predictions were tested by allelotyping a panel of approximately 30 individuals for 5% of these regions, confirming polymorphism for more than half the loci tested. Our study indicates that tandem-repeat polymorphisms in genes are more common than is generally believed. Approximately 8% of these loci are within coding sequences and, if polymorphic, would result in frameshifts. Our catalogue of putative polymorphic repeats within transcribed sequences comprises a large set of potentially phenotypic or disease-causing loci. In addition, from the anomalous character of the repetitive sequences within unannotated clusters, we also conclude that the UniGene cluster count substantially overestimates the number of genes in the human genome. We hypothesize that polymorphisms in repeated sequences occur with some baseline distribution, on the basis of repeat homogeneity, size, and sequence composition, and that deviations from that distribution are indicative of the nature of selection pressure at that locus. We find evidence of selective maintenance of the ability of some genes to respond very rapidly, perhaps even on intragenerational timescales, to fluctuating selective pressures.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2000

Functional properties of a new voltage-dependent calcium channel alpha(2)delta auxiliary subunit gene (CACNA2D2).

We have positionally cloned and characterized a new calcium channel auxiliary subunit, alpha(2)delta-2 (CACNA2D2), which shares 56% amino acid identity with the known alpha(2)delta-1 subunit. The gene maps to the critical human tumor suppressor gene region in chromosome 3p21.3, showing very frequent allele loss and occasional homozygous deletions in lung, breast, and other cancers. The tissue distribution of alpha(2)delta-2 expression is different from alpha(2)delta-1, and alpha(2)delta-2 mRNA is most abundantly expressed in lung and testis and well expressed in brain, heart, and pancreas. In contrast, alpha(2)delta-1 is expressed predominantly in brain, heart, and skeletal muscle. When co-expressed (via cRNA injections) with alpha(1B) and beta(3) subunits in Xenopus oocytes, alpha(2)delta-2 increased peak size of the N-type Ca(2+) currents 9-fold, and when co-expressed with alpha(1C) or alpha(1G) subunits in Xenopus oocytes increased peak size of L-type channels 2-fold and T-type channels 1.8-fold, respectively. Anti-peptide antibodies detect the expression of a 129-kDa alpha(2)delta-2 polypeptide in some but not all lung tumor cells. We conclude that the alpha(2)delta-2 gene encodes a functional auxiliary subunit of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels. Because of its chromosomal location and expression patterns, CACNA2D2 needs to be explored as a potential tumor suppressor gene linking Ca(2+) signaling and lung, breast, and other cancer pathogenesis. The homologous location on mouse chromosome 9 is also the site of the mouse neurologic mutant ducky (du), and thus, CACNA2D2 is also a candidate gene for this inherited idiopathic generalized epilepsy syndrome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

High resolution chromosome 3p allelotyping of human lung cancer and preneoplastic/preinvasive bronchial epithelium reveals multiple, discontinuous sites of 3p allele loss and three regions of frequent breakpoints.

Allele loss involving chromosome arm 3p is one of the most frequent and earliest known genetic events in lung cancer pathogenesis and may affect several potential tumor suppressor gene regions. To further study the role of chromosome 3p allele loss in the pathogenesis of lung cancer, we performed high resolution loss of heterozygosity (LOH) studies on 97 lung cancer and 54 preneoplastic/preinvasive microdissected respiratory epithelial samples using a panel of 28 3p markers. Allelic losses of 3p were detected in 96% of the lung cancers and in 78% of the preneoplastic/preinvasive lesions. The allele losses were often multiple and discontinuous, with areas of LOH interspersed with areas of retention of heterozygosity. Most small cell lung carcinomas (91%) and squamous cell carcinomas (95%) demonstrated larger 3p segments of allele loss, whereas most (71%) of the adenocarcinomas and preneoplastic/preinvasive lesions had smaller chromosome areas of 3p allele loss. There was a progressive increase in the frequency and size of 3p allele loss regions with increasing severity of histopathological preneoplastic/preinvasive changes. In analyses of the specific parental allele lost comparing 42 preneoplastic/preinvasive foci with those lost in the lung cancer in the same patient (n = 10), the same parental allele was lost in 88% of 244 comparisons for 28 3p markers (P = 1.2 x 10(-36) for this occurring by chance). This indicates the occurrence of allele-specific loss in these foci similar to that seen in the tumor by a currently unknown mechanism. Analysis of all of the data indicated multiple regions of localized 3p allele loss including telomere-D3S1597, D3S1111-D3S2432, D3S2432-D3S1537, D3S1537, D3S1537-D3S1612, D3S4604/Luca19.1-D3S4622/Luca4.1, D3S4624/Luca2.1, D3S4624/Luca2.1-D3S1582, D3S1766, D3S1234-D3S1300 (FHIT/FRA3B region centered on D3S1300), D3S1284-D3S1577 (U2020/DUTT1 region centered on D3S1274), and D3S1511-centromere. A panel of six markers in the 600-kb 3p21.3 deletion region showed loss in 77% of the lung cancers, 70% of normal or preneoplastic/preinvasive lesions associated with lung cancer, and 49% of 47 normal, mildly abnormal, or preneoplastic/preinvasive lesions found in smokers without lung cancer; however, loss was seen in 0% of 18 epithelial samples from seven never smokers. The 600-kb 3p21.3 region and the 3p14.2 (FHIT/FRA3B) and 3p12 (U2020/DUTT1) regions were common, independent sites of breakpoints (retention of heterozygosity by some markers and LOH by other markers in the immediate region). We conclude that 3p allele loss is nearly universal in lung cancer pathogenesis; involves multiple, discrete, 3p LOH sites that often show a "discontinuous LOH" pattern in individual tumors; occurs in preneoplastic/preinvasive lesions in smokers with and without lung cancer (multiple lesions often lose the same parental allele); frequently involves breakpoints in at least three very small defined genomic regions; and appears to have allele loss and breakpoints first occurring in the 600-kb 3p21.3 region. These findings are consistent with previously reported LOH studies in a variety of tumors showing allele loss occurring by mitotic recombination and induced by oxidative damage.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

LRP-DIT, a putative endocytic receptor gene, is frequently inactivated in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines.

A variety of studies suggest that allelic losses at chromosome 2q are associated with aggressive behavior of various forms of human neoplasia. Using a probe to detect homozygous deletions on chromosome 2q21.2 in kidney and bladder cancer cell lines, we identified a new candidate tumor suppressor gene, lipoprotein receptor-related protein-deleted in tumors (LRP-DIT). The predicted LRP-DIT product of 4599 amino acids has extensive homology to a gigantic receptor, LRP1, which mediates endocytosis of multiple proteins from the cell surface. Homozygous deletions in LRP-DIT were detected in 17% (4 of 23) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. The expression of only abnormal transcripts missing portions of the LRP-DIT sequence was demonstrated in an additional 30% (11 of 36) of NSCLC lines. Finally, a missense mutation at codon 3157 was detected in one of four NSCLC lines tested for the large open reading frame. In contrast, no LRP-DIT alterations were identified in a major fraction of SCLC cell lines, indicating that this gene is preferentially inactivated in one histological type of lung cancer. Our data suggest that inactivation of LRP-DIT occurs in at least 40% of NSCLC lines and thus may play an important role in tumorigenesis of NSCLCs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Mutations in the retinoblastoma-related gene RB2/p130 in lung tumors and suppression of tumor growth in vivo by retrovirus-mediated gene transfer.

The retinoblastoma (Rb) family consists of the tumor suppressor pRb/p105 and related proteins p107 and pRb2/p130. Recent immunohistochemical studies of the retinoblastoma family of proteins in 235 specimens of lung cancer show the tightest inverse association between the histological grading in the most aggressive tumor types and pRb2/p130. This led us to study a panel of human lung cancers for mutations in the RB2/p130 gene. Mutations in the Rb-related gene RB2/p130 were detected in 11 of 14 (78.5%) primary lung tumors by single-strand conformation polymorphism and sequence analysis. A Moloney leukemia virus-based retroviral system was set up, and a comparable viral concentration of 1 x 10(7) infectious units/ml was obtained. Retrovirus-mediated delivery of wild-type RB2/p130 to the lung tumor cell line H23 potently inhibited tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo, as shown by the dramatic growth arrest observed in a colony assay and the suppression of anchorage-independent growth potential and tumor formation in nude mice. The tumors transduced with the RB2/p130 retrovirus diminished in size after a single injection, and a 12-fold reduction in tumor growth after RB2/p130 transduction compared with the Pac-transduced tumors (92% reduction, P = 0.003) and lacZ-transduced tumors (93% reduction, P < 0.001) was found to be statistically significant. These findings provide the missing confirmation that RB2/p130 is a "bona fide" tumor suppressor gene and strengthen the hypothesis that it may be a candidate for cancer gene therapy for lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

Two identical triplet sisters carrying a germline BRCA1 gene mutation acquire very similar breast cancer somatic mutations at multiple other sites throughout the genome.

Monozygotic twins, each of whom has breast cancer, offer a natural study population for gene-environmental interactions as causation of cancer, because they are genetically identical. If heritable factors play a large role in the origin of a neoplasm, disease concordance should be significant in monozygotic twins. Two monozygotic triplet sisters carrying a germline BRCA1 gene mutation (5382insC) who both developed breast cancer at early ages were studied for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in their microdissected, paraffin-embedded tumors along with control blood and stromal breast tissue at 19 chromosomal arms using 161 microsatellite markers. Microdissected areas of normal lobular and ductal epithelium and ductal in situ carcinoma were also studied for LOH using a subset of microsatellite markers. The mother's DNA (extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes) was analyzed to determine the parental allele under LOH in each case. Both tumors demonstrated similar histologic features suggestive of a secretory variant of ductal carcinoma. The tumors from both sisters had similar overall LOH frequency expressed by the fractional allelic loss (FAL) indices (0.56 vs. 0.60) and demonstrated concordance for loss or retention at 82 of 97 informative markers (85% correlation). In addition, detailed mapping analysis of several chromosomal arms revealed that identical breakpoints were detected in both tumors at several chromosome regions. Finally, in both sisters' tumors, when a chromosome exhibited allelic loss, all of the markers exhibited LOH of the same parental allele even when there were intervening regions of retention of heterozygosity. In contrast, 17 archival sporadic breast carcinomas demonstrated a wide range of FAL indexes and highly individual patterns of LOH. Our findings support the hypothesis that inherited factors play a role in the development of the multiple somatic deletions occurring in breast carcinomas. Whether one of these factors is the mutant BRCA1 allele or some other gene(s) remains to be determined. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 28:359-369, 2000.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Loss of Fhit expression in non-small-cell lung cancer: correlation with molecular genetic abnormalities and clinicopathological features.

The FHIT gene is located at a chromosomal site (3p14.2) which is commonly affected by translocations and deletions in human neoplasia. Although FHIT alterations at the DNA and RNA level are frequent in many types of tumours, the biological and clinical significance of these changes is not clear. In this study we aimed at correlating loss of Fhit protein expression with a large number of molecular genetic and clinical parameters in a well-characterized cohort of non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Paraffin sections of 99 non-small-cell carcinomas were reacted with an anti-Fhit polyclonal antibody in a standard immunohistochemical reaction. Abnormal cases were characterized by complete loss of cytoplasmic Fhit staining. The Fhit staining results were then correlated with previously obtained clinical and molecular data. Fifty-two of 99 tumours lacked cytoplasmic Fhit staining, with preserved reactivity in adjacent normal cells. Lack of Fhit staining correlated with: loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the FHIT 3p14.2 locus, but not at other loci on 3p; squamous histology; LOH at 17p13 and 5q but not with LOH at multiple other suspected tumour suppressor gene loci; and was inversely correlated with codon 12 mutations in K-ras. Fhit expression was not correlated overall with a variety of clinical parameters including survival and was not associated with abnormalities of immunohistochemical expression of p53, RB, and p16. All of these findings are consistent with loss of Fhit protein expression being as frequent an abnormality in lung cancer pathogenesis as are p53 and p16 protein abnormalities and that such loss occurs independently of the commitment to the metastatic state and of most other molecular abnormalities.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗
PubMed2000

Infrequent mutation of the hBUB1 and hBUBR1 genes in human lung cancer.

Mitotic checkpoint defects of the cell cycle have been implicated in the development of human cancers. Since hBUB1 and hBUBR1, whose products function in the spindle checkpoint pathway, have been shown to be mutated in a subset of colon cancers with chromosomal instability, we investigated the contribution of these genes to lung cancer development. One hundred and two lung cancer (50 small cell lung cancers and 52 non-small cell lung cancers) and 4 mesothelioma cell line DNAs were analyzed by Southern blot analysis, but no rearrangements or deletions of hBUB1 and hBUBR1 were detected. Using single strand conformation polymorphism analysis, we studied all the 25 exons except exon 1 of the hBUB1 gene in 88 lung cancer DNAs. One lung cancer cell line, NCI-H345, showed a single nucleotide substitution, which resulted in an Arg-to-Gln change at codon 209 (CGA to CAA). Eleven cell line DNAs exhibited a single nucleotide polymorphism in intron 9 of hBUB1, all of which were heterozygous. Similar mutation analysis of hBUBR1 in 47 lung cancer cell line cDNAs revealed a frequent polymorphism at codon 349 (CAA to CGA) leading to a substitution of Gln to Arg but no mutations. Northern blot analyses showed that both hBUB1 and hBUBR1 genes were expressed in all of 31 lung cancer cell lines tested with no significant difference in the expression level. Our results suggest that alterations in hBUB1 and hBUBR1 rarely contributed to the genetic change of lung cancers.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗
PubMed2000

Fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene abnormalities in lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the world. In recent years, enormous progress has been made in understanding the molecular and cellular biology of lung cancer. The fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene, a candidate tumor-suppressor gene, was recently identified at chromosome 3p14.2, spanning the FRA3B common fragile site. Frequent allelic losses as well as homozygous deletions have been described at the FHIT locus, making FHIT a strong candidate as a tumor-suppressor gene. However, the occurrence of mutations is very rare. Aberrant FHIT transcripts, including deletions of exons, insertions between exons, and insertions replacing exons, are detected in a high percentage of lung tumors. Reduction or complete loss of FHIT expression by immunohistochemical testing is seen in about 30%-70% of non small-cell lung cancer and in about 20% of bronchial biopsies from chronic smokers without evidence of lung cancer. This finding supports the theory that FHIT is a molecular target of tobacco smoke carcinogens. However, the location of the gene in one of the most fragile sites of the human genome and the paucity of mutations have led to an alternative hypothesis that abnormalities of the gene are bystander effects resulting from disruption of the FRA3B locus. Thus, the function of FHIT as a candidate tumor-suppressor gene is still controversial, and additional studies are necessary to clarify the role of FHIT in lung cancer pathogenesis.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Two regions of homozygous deletion clusters at chromosome band 9p21 in human lung cancer.

We examined 149 lung cancer cell lines for homozygous deletions using 24 DNA markers, which were mapped and ordered in chromosome band 9p21, to define the target regions for 9p21 deletions in human lung cancer. Homozygous deletions were detected in 39 (26%) cell lines and clustered at 2 independent regions. One was the region containing the p16/CDKN2A tumor suppressor gene, and this region was deleted in 32 (21%) cell lines. The other was the region containing D9S171, which is the locus approximately 3 Mb proximal to the CDKN2A locus. This region, designated as the D9S171 region, was deleted in 18 (12%) cell lines. Seven of the 18 cell lines had identical minimum deletions of a 17,036 bp sequence located 20 kb distal to the D9S171 locus. However, such a deletion was also observed in the corresponding B-lymphoblastoid cell line from 1 of the 7 cell lines and in 5 (16%) of 32 noncancerous tissues, suggesting that the deletion was a genetic polymorphism. By considering this polymorphism, 11 (7%) cell lines still had deletions at the D9S171 region. Two NSCLC cell lines showed deletions at the D9S171 region and retentions of the CDKN2A locus. Furthermore, an NSCLC cell line showed discontinuous deletions including either the CDKN2A or D9S171 locus. Therefore, the region surrounding the D9S171 locus was defined as another target region for the 9p21 deletions. It is possible that unknown tumor suppressor gene(s) are present in this chromosomal region. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 27:308-318, 2000.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗
PubMed2000

Molecular changes in the bronchial epithelium of patients with small cell lung cancer.

To better understand the pathways involved in the pathogenesis of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), we compared the patterns of molecular changes present in these tumors and their accompanying bronchial epithelium with those present in the other two major types of lung cancer [squamous cell carcinoma (SQC) and adenocarcinoma (ADC)]. We obtained DNA from 68 microdissected invasive lung tumors (22 SCLCs, 21 ADCs, and, 25 SQCs) and 119 noncontiguous foci of histologically normal or hyperplastic epithelia from 10 tumors of each histological type. We determined loss of heterozygosity and microsatellite alterations at 12 chromosomal regions frequently deleted in lung cancers using 19 polymorphic microsatellite markers. Our major findings are as follows: (a) the mean index of allelic loss in SCLC (0.85) and SQC (0.71) tumors was higher than that in ADC (0.39) tumors; (b) although there was considerable overlap, each tumor type had a characteristic pattern of allelic loss; (c) most samples of bronchial epithelium accompanying SCLC (90%) had allelic loss at one or more loci compared with samples accompanying SQC (54%) or ADC (10%); (d) the mean index of allelic loss was much higher in bronchial epithelial samples from SCLC (0.27) than in those from SQC (0.08) or ADC (0.01); and (e) although the mean indices of microsatellite alterations in the tumor types were similar, the bronchial epithelial samples accompanying SCLC had a 10-fold higher mean index (0.063) than those accompanying SQC (0.006) or ADC (0.006). Our findings indicate that extensive genetic damage in the accompanying normal and hyperplastic bronchial epithelium is characteristic of SCLC tumors and suggest major differences in the pathogenesis of the three major lung cancer types.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

The biology of lung cancer including potential clinical applications.

The understanding of lung cancer pathogenesis is rapidly growing and needs to be translated into clinical practice. Molecular screening approaches will be combined with CT scans to detect premalignant lesions and early-stage cancers in high-risk groups for lung cancer and to monitor the efficacy of chemoprevention trials. New treatment approaches, such as gene therapy, monoclonal antibodies against growth factors and receptors, angiogenesis inhibitors, vaccines, apoptosis modulators, and new drugs targeted at these abnormal pathways, will be tested and, if effective, included in future multimodality treatment strategies of lung cancer. All these approaches will hopefully lead to earlier diagnosis and more efficient treatment of lung cancer, resulting in a better prognosis of this still mostly lethal disease.

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

Multiple clonal abnormalities in the bronchial epithelium of patients with lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Several molecular changes, including loss of heterozygosity (i.e., deletion of one copy of allelic DNA sequences) and alterations in microsatellite DNA, have been detected early in the pathogenesis of lung cancer, even in histologically normal epithelium. In the bronchial epithelium of patients with lung cancer, we have determined the frequency, size, and patterns of molecularly abnormal clonal patches. METHODS: We studied formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples from 16 surgically resected lung carcinomas (five squamous cell carcinomas, four small-cell carcinomas, six adenocarcinomas, and one large-cell carcinoma). From each carcinoma, we microdissected foci (each containing about 200 cells) of tumor tissue and equivalent samples of histologically normal and abnormal epithelium. Furthermore, multiple discontinuous foci of bronchial epithelium were analyzed from methanol-fixed samples from three additional patients with lung cancer (two with squamous cell carcinoma and one with adenocarcinoma). We used two-step polymerase chain reaction-based assays involving 12 microsatellite markers at seven chromosomal regions frequently deleted in lung cancer. RESULTS: Two hundred eighteen foci of nonmalignant bronchial epithelium (195 of histologically normal or slightly abnormal epithelium and 23 of dysplastic epithelium) were studied from the 19 surgically resected lobectomy specimens. Thirteen (68%) of the 19 specimens had at least one focus of bronchial epithelium with molecular changes. At least one molecular abnormality was detected in 32% of the 195 histologically normal or slightly abnormal foci and in 52% of the 23 dysplastic foci. Extrapolating from our two-dimensional analyses, we estimate that most clonal patches contain approximately 90 000 cells. Although, in a given individual, tumors appeared homogeneous with respect to molecular changes, the clonally altered patches of mildly abnormal epithelium were heterogeneous. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that multiple small clonal or subclonal patches containing molecular abnormalities are present in normal or slightly abnormal bronchial epithelium of patients with lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1999

Multiple regions of chromosome 4 demonstrating allelic losses in breast carcinomas.

Allelotyping studies suggest that allelic losses at one or both arms of chromosome 4 are frequent in several tumor types, but information about breast cancer is scant. A recent comparative genomic hybridization analysis revealed frequent losses of chromosome 4 in breast carcinomas. In an effort to more precisely locate the putative tumor suppressor gene(s) on chromosome 4 involved in the pathogenesis of breast carcinomas, we performed loss of heterozygosity studies using 19 polymorphic microsatellite markers. After precise microdissection of archival surgical cases, we analyzed DNA obtained from 44 breast carcinomas for loss of heterozygosity. In addition, DNA from tumor cell lines derived from 14 of these 44 breast carcinomas were also analyzed. We observed deletions of chromosome 4 at multiple sites in both tumor cell lines and breast carcinomas. The deletions in cell lines and their corresponding tumors were extensive in nature, whereas they were more localized in noncultured breast carcinomas. The localized deletions in the noncultured breast carcinomas clearly defined four nonoverlapping regions of frequent deletions: 4q33-34 (76%); 4q25-26 (63%); 4p15.1-15.3 (57%); and 4p16.3 (50%). Our results suggest that there may be multiple putative tumor suppressor genes, located on both arms of chromosome 4, whose inactivation is important in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of tumorigenicity and tumor growth by adenovirus vector-mediated fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene overexpression.

We studied the effects of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene overexpression mediated by an adenoviral vector, Ad-FHIT, on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle kinetics in human cancer cells and on tumorigenicity and tumor growth in nude mice. Overexpression of the FHIT gene significantly inhibited cell growth in various Ad-FHIT-transduced human lung cancer cells and head and neck carcinoma cells with FHIT gene abnormalities, but not in normal human bronchial epithelial cells. Fewer than 20% of cells in all Ad-FHIT-transduced cells survived at 7 days after transduction. Overexpression of the FHIT gene induced cell apoptosis and altered cell cycle processes. The apoptotic cell population markedly increased, and cells accumulated in S phase after Ad-FHIT transduction. The tumorigenicity of human H1299 lung cancer cells transduced by Ad-FHIT, in comparison with that of the control transductants and untreated cells, was eliminated in vivo. Subcutaneous tumor growth in nude mice who received intratumoral injections of Ad-FHIT, at a total dose of 3 x 10(10) plaque-forming units/tumor for H1299 tumors and 4 x 10(10)/tumor for A549 tumors, were suppressed by more than 85% and 90%, respectively, compared with that in nude mice who received injections of empty vector at the same dose or with PBS alone. Together, our results suggest that the FHIT gene, when delivered at high efficiency by a recombinant adenoviral vector, functions as a tumor suppressor gene both in vitro and in vivo.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗